In Response to Warren Questioning, Trump Administration Nominee Admits China is Undercutting American Farmers Amidst Trump Trade War and Argentina Bailout

In Response to Warren Questioning, Trump Administration Nominee Admits China is Undercutting American Farmers Amidst Trump Trade War and Argentina Bailout

Warren: "Under Trump, farm bankruptcies are surging; crop prices are falling; and Trump's chaotic tariffs are making fertilizer and farming equipment more expensive. But instead of helping American farmers, who clearly need that help, he's helping the farmers in Argentina."

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Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Finance Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, questioned Julie Callahan, President Donald Trump's nominee to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), on how the Trump Administration's disastrous trade policies-including bailing out Argentina's financial markets and hedge funds after the country cut a deal with China-are hurting farmers while raising costs for families. In her responses to Ranking Member Warren, Callahan admitted that, for months, China has purchased soybeans "from every country except the United States" that exports them.

Below is the full transcript of Senator Warren's questioning:

Senator Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, President Trump promised that he would lower costs for American families "on day one." Those were his words: "On day one."

Instead, he is prioritizing a $40 billion bailout for Argentina and the wealthy hedge fund investors, starting with $20 billion dollars in taxpayer money, and $20 billion more fronted by U.S. banks - potentially guaranteed by taxpayers - and who knows - maybe even more money going to Argentina.

Now, this bailout came after Argentina cut a deal with China that directly undercuts American soybean farmers.

Under Trump, farm bankruptcies are surging; crop prices are falling; and Trump's chaotic tariffs are making fertilizer and farming equipment more expensive. But instead of helping American farmers, who clearly need that help, he's helping the farmers in Argentina.

So, don't take my word for it - listen to the farmers themselves. One soybean farmer said, "I turn on the news and we gave $20 billion of taxpayer money to Argentina - my competition." The American Soybean Association said plainly: "The frustration is overwhelming."

So, Dr. Callahan, you are being nominated to serve as America's chief agricultural negotiator. Do you agree that bailing out Argentina - while our own farmers are struggling - is a betrayal of the American soybean farmer?

Julie Callahan: Thank you, Senator Warren. In our negotiations for agreements on reciprocal trade, soy is a top commodity that we are negotiating around the world to ensure that countries around the world have access to high-quality U.S. soybeans-

Warren: So, I appreciate that. I don't mean to interrupt, but we are going to be limited on our time here. It's an easy question. I'm asking you if you agree with American soybean farmers themselves whose interests you are supposed to represent in this job? And they are ringing the alarm about their own economic livelihoods, surging farm bankruptcies, soybean farmers losing access to key markets when we prop up these competitors. So, I just don't understand. If you can't acknowledge that there is a problem here, how do you represent American soybean farmers?

Callahan: Thank you, Senator Warren. And in my role as the Assistant USTR for Agriculture and if confirmed as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator, I will have the interest of U.S. Farmers and ranchers-

Warren: Can you acknowledge that there is a serious problem right now for those soybean farmers?

Can you acknowledge that there is a serious problem right now for those soybean farmers?

Callahan: Our current negotiations are making good on the promise to U.S. farmers and ranchers to reset our trade relationships and to ensure we have reciprocal-

Warren: So, I'm sorry. You can't even acknowledge that our American soybean farmers are having trouble right now? Is that what you're telling me-

Callahan: Absolutely-

Warren: You are going to sit there and say, "Nope. We're working."

Callahan: China's weaponization of agriculture has absolutely harmed U.S. soybean farmers and if-

Warren: So, farmers are in trouble because China quit buying from them. Because who is China buying from right now? What's that country?

Callahan: China is purchasing from every country except the United States that exports soybeans-

Warren: What country is China buying soybeans from right now? What's the name of that country?

Callahan: China purchases many countries, soybeans from Brazil-

Warren: Dr. Callahan, what is the name of the country that China is buying soybeans from right now?

Callahan: China is purchasing Latin American soybeans-

Warren: Latin American soybeans-

Callahan: As of this morning, they are purchasing U.S. soybeans as well-

Warren: What is the name of the particular country they are buying soybeans from? If you can't answer that question, I don't see how you can represent American soybean farmers.

Dr. Callahan, let me ask you about another constituency you supposedly would be fighting for, and that's cattle ranchers. So, Trump bails out Argentina. He undercuts American soybean farmers. What's next? He announces he's raising the quota for Argentine beef imports.

Now, importing Argentine beef will devastate small ranchers. But with the big four meatpacking corporations controlling the market, consumers are not going see prices that are any lower.

So once again, Trump is helping Argentina while American ranchers and American consumers pay the price.

One Illinois cattle producer called Trump's plan "a betrayal of the American rancher." And said Trump is "acting more like president of Argentina than president of the United States."

So Dr. Callahan, do you agree with the American cattle ranchers that importing beef from Argentina will harm them - particularly the small ranchers?

Callahan: Thank you, Senator Warren. I am in close communication with U.S. cattlemen-

Warren: We're out of time. Can you just give me a yes or no on that? Do you understand that this will harm our small ranchers?

Callahan: Thank you, Senator. I am confident that the cattlemen understand that USTR-

Warren: Could I just have a yes or no? We're out of time-

Callahan: That we are negotiating for their interests to open markets for U.S. beef.

Warren: Okay. Well, obviously I can't get an answer.

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